We Energies CEO will be keynote speaker at Carroll Founders' Day Feb. 1

January 16, 2013

WAUKESHA, WIS.— Gale Klappa, chairman, president and chief executive officer of We Energies, the principal utility subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, will be the keynote speaker at Carroll’s Founders’ Day convocation Feb. 1, 2013. He will discuss “Energy: The Changing Landscape.” The event begins at 1 p.m. in the auditorium of Shattuck Music Center, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha. It is free and open to the public.

Klappa’s appearance coincides with Carroll’s yearlong theme of Energy, a campus-wide exploration of energy in its many forms, from cellular to solar, and from individual to societal and global perspectives. An interdisciplinary series of presentations, workshops, performances, convocations and other activities explores energy from a variety of perspectives, including fossil fuel dependence, developing new sources of energy, personal energy, and spiritual energy.

Klappa joined Wisconsin Energy in April 2003 as president and was elected to the company’s board of directors in December 2003. He is a member of the board of directors of Badger Meter Inc. and Joy Global Inc. He serves on the executive committee of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, co-chairs the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development Council, serves on the board of trustees of the Medical College of Wisconsin, the UWM School of Business Advisory Council, and the board of directors of the United Performing Arts Fund. Currently the vice chairman of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), he was MMAC chairman from 2007 to 2009. Also, from 2006 to 2010, Klappa served on the board of directors of United Way of Greater Milwaukee. He also served as chairman of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited from 2007 to 2010.

In January 2012, “Electric Light & Power” magazine named Klappa CEO of the Year, recognizing his role in executing the company’s Power the Future plan, a landmark plan that added 50 percent more generating capacity to the company’s operating fleet while cutting emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury by 80 percent. In September 2012, “Corporate Responsibility” magazine named Klappa Responsible CEO of the Year for his commitment to transparency, accountability and customer satisfaction.

Founders' Day recognizes those responsible for Carroll's incorporation on Jan. 31, 1846, and those whose outstanding contributions help keep the university strong.